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The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

Psalms 123:1-4

Psalm PSALM—NOTE ON Psalms 123:1. This is a community lament, as the references to “we” and “us” show. In this Song of Solomon 1:1 of Ascents (see note on Psalm 120), the faithful pilgrims feel themselves to be the objects of scorn and contempt. The psalm goes beyond simply asking for a safe journey. It seeks relief from the scorn.

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See also Psalms 123:1-4 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    PSALM CXXIII _The prayer and faith of the godly_, 1, 2. _They desire to be delivered from contempt_, 3, 4. NOTES ON PSALM CXXIII This Psalm is probably a complaint of the captives in Babylon rela...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    UNTO THEE - To God. LIFT I UP MINE EYES - In supplication and prayer. Nature prompts us to look up when we address God, as if he dwelt above us. It is the natural prompting of the heart that he must...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    PSALM 120-134 The Psalms of Degrees Fifteen brief Psalms follow, called songs of degrees, or, ascents. They were in all probability used by Israel going up to Jerusalem three times a year to celebrat...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    CXXIII. WAITING FOR GOD. Psalms 123:4. The contempt of the proud may have been caused by their own wealth, and by the poverty of the godly (see on Psalms 4). Poor and godly are almost synonymous. The...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    TITLE.. SONG, &c. Same as Psalms 120:1. DWELLEST IN THE HEAVENS. The reference is to 2 Kings 19:16 and Isaiah 37:16....

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    _The godly profess their confidence in God, and pray to be delivered from contempt._ A Song of Degrees. _Title._ המעלות שׁיר _Shiir hammangaloth._] Bishop Patrick thinks this psalm was composed in th...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PSALMS 123 DESCRIPTIVE TITLE The King's Response to the Injunction to Lift up his Eyes as High as Heaven. ANALYSIS Stanza I., Psalms 123:1, An Individualistic Couplet by way of Response to the Exho...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. The Psalmist's looking up to God is like that of servants patiently looking for mercy from their master (Psalms 123:1); prayer fo...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    The Psalmist looks up steadfastly to God, and expresses his confidence in Him....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    Psalms 107:150 _GORDON CHURCHYARD_ PSALMS 123 PSALMS FOR CLIMBING; PSALMS 120:134 Jesus said, "We wi

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    O THOU THAT DWELLEST. — _O thou throned one. _...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    שִׁ֗יר הַֽ מַּ֫עֲלֹ֥ות אֵ֭לֶיךָ נָשָׂ֣אתִי אֶת...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    Psalms 123:1 A SIGH and an upward gaze and a sigh! No period is more appropriate, as that of this psalm, than the early days after the return from exile, when the little community, which had come back...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Following the idea of the ascent of the worshiper to the longed-for house of Jehovah we have in this song an expression of the soul's strong confidence in Jehovah. The soul first affirms confidence as...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Canticle. Hebrew, &c., with some Latin copies add, "of David," (Calmet) who might write it after being delivered from some danger. It may also be applicable to the martyrs, and to all who have been f...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS This Psalm seems to send forth the cries of the soul under exercises. But amidst them all, we may perceive very strong expressions of firm confidence in God. A Song of Degrees. Psalms 123:...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    1._I lift my eyes to thee, who dwellest in the heavens. _It is uncertain at what time, or even by what Prophet, this Psalm was composed. I do not think it probable that David was its author; because,...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    The series then returns (Psalms 123) to their sorrows and resource. Blessing is not fully come; but Jehovah is looked to in the heavens, but as the God of Israel; the remnant say "our God" now. But th...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    UNTO THEE LIFT I UP MINE EYES,.... Not only the eyes of his body, this being a prayer gesture; see Matthew 14:19; but the eyes of his mind and understanding, opened by the Spirit of God; particularly...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Psalms 123:1 «A Song of degrees. » Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Ver. 1. _Unto thee lift I up mine eyes_] Praying by them rather than by words, mine afflictions...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Unto thee lift I up mine eyes_ Though all human help fail us in this sore distress, yet I do not despair of relief from thee; _O thou that dwellest in the heavens_ Whose majesty and power incomparabl...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes, in humble, but confident expectation of help, O THOU THAT DWELLEST IN THE HEAVENS, enthroned as the almighty Sovereign, for whom it is a small matter to come to the assi...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    TRUST IN THE LORD IN THE MIDST OF ANGUISH. A song of degrees, setting forth the psalmist's earnest prayer for mercy on account of the distress which has beset him....

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    PSALM 123 THE ARGUMENT This Psalm contains a description of the great agony and distress of God's people, and of their carriage under it. The godly profess their patient trusting and confidence in God...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Psalms 123:1 Song H7892 Ascents H4609 up H5375 (H8804) eyes H5869 dwell H3427 (H8802) heavens H8064...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    A SONG OF DEGREES Literally, "of ascents." Perhaps chanted by the people as they went up to Jerusalem to the feasts. See, for example (Psalms 112:1); (Psalms 112:2)....

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Psalms 123:1. _Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens._ Our eyes are far too apt to look below, or to look within, or to look around, but it is wisdom on our part to look...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    We shall read, this evening, three short Psalms, the 123 rd, 124 th, and 125 th. May the Holy Spirit, who inspired the writers of them, strengthen our faith while we read these songs of joyous confide...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Expectation of mercy from God in the day of contempt. CHARACTERS: God, Psalmist. CONCLUSION: When man's eyes are toward God, he will always see God's mercy coming toward him. He who dwells...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    REFLECTIONS. This psalm teaches us that when the church is in trouble and contempt from proud, wicked, and unbelieving men, the ministers and people of God must associate for counsel and prayer; and a...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Unto Thee lift I up mine eyes._ THE PRAYER OF THE EYES The prayer of the eyes. Have you never seen it in the eyes of patient poverty, of distress, of oppression, of the sick child? This prayer recog...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    INTRODUCTION Since the time when it was produced by its now unknown author, when was not this hymn of hope a favourite with God’s people? The pensive individual might use this form of meditation and p...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION PSALMS 123:1 UNTO THEE LIFT I UP MINE EYES (comp. Psalms 121:1, where the psalmist "lifted up his eyes" to God's dwelling-place). Now the expression is bolder. The eyes are lifted up to Go...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of a servant look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:1; Luke 18:13; Matthew 6:9; Psalms 11:4;...

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